Showing 1-17 of 17 results
-
Anadolu Kavağı Kalesi
Anadolu Kavağı is where the Bosphorus excursions ferry finishes its journey. It's a pleasant spot in which to wander and have a seafood lunch at one of the touristy places on the square in front of the ferry terminal. Perched above the village are the ruins of Anadolu Kavağı Kalesi, a medieval castle that originally had eight massive towers in its walls. First built by the Byzantines, it was restored and reinforced by the Genoese in 1350, and later by the Ottomans.
-
Beylerbeyi Palace
On the waterfront across the Bosphorus Bridge is the grand Beylerbeyi Palace. Look for its whimsical marble bathing pavilions on the shore, one was for men, the other for the women of the harem.
-
Çirağan Palace
Not satisfied with the architectural exertions of his predecessor at Dolmabahçe, Sultan Abdül Aziz (r 1861-76) built his own grand residence at Çırağan, on the Bosphorus shore only 1.5km away from Dolmabahçe. The architect was Nikoğos Balyan, one of the designers of Dolmabahçe and here he created an interesting building melding European neoclassical with Ottoman and Moorish styles.
-
Deniz Müzesi
Though this museum is picturesquely situated on the Bosphorus shore, most landlubbers (including us) find it just a tad dull. Still, those of the naval persuasion will no doubt feel like dropping an anchor here for an hour or so. Though the Ottoman Empire is most remembered for its conquests on land, its maritime power was equally impressive.
-
Dolmabahçe Harem-Cariyeler
This pink building houses the harem and concubines' quarters, which are not as lavish as the Selamlık but still worth touring. Though relatively cramped and plain by Dolmabahçe standards (which isn't saying much), they have some bizarre features, including the huge ornate bed used by Sultan Abdül Aziz, who was known by his subjects as Güresçi (the Wrestler) due to his great size, considerable strength and predilection for the sport.
-
Dolmabahçe Selamlik
The tour starts by passing through opulent salons and halls to a room with glass cabinets displaying gaudy crystal, gold and silver tea sets. After visiting the palace mosque and ablutions room, things really start to get extravagant at the staircase, with a French crystal balustrade made by Baccarat.
-
Egyptian Consulate Building
Bebek's shops surround a small park and a mosque; to the east of these is the ferry dock, to the south is the former Egyptian consulate building. This gorgeous Art Nouveau mini-palace was built by the last khedive of Egypt, Abbas Hilmi II, who also later built Hıdiv Kasrı above Kanlıca on the Asian side of the Bosphorus. You'll see its mansard roof and ornate wrought-iron fence from the ferry.
-
Hıdiv Kasrı
High on a promontory above Kanlıca is Hıdiv Kasrı, a grand Art Nouveau villa built by the last khedive of Egypt as a summer residence for use during his family's annual visits to İstanbul.
-
Kırmızı Yalı
Opposite Bebek on the Asian shore is Kırmızı Yalı, constructed in 1790 and one of the oldest still standing; a bit further on, also past the village of Kandilli, is the long, white Kıbrıslı Mustafa Emin Paşa Yalı.
-
Köprülü Amcazade Hüseyin Paşa Yalı
Just past Anadolu Hisarı (before the Fatih Bridge) is Köprülü Amcazade Hüseyin Paşa Yalı, built right on the water in 1698. It is the oldest mansion on the Bosphorus and is in a deplorable state of repair.
-
Advertisement
-
Küçüksu Kasrı
Küçüksu Kasrı, an ornate lodge built in 1856-57. Earlier sultans had wooden kiosks here, but architect Nikoğos Balyan designed a Rococo gem in marble for his monarch.
-
Mimar Sinan Çarşisi
Built by Nurbanu Sultan, mother of Sultan Murat III, between 1574 and 1583, this hamam is thought to have been the first designed by Sinan. Having fallen into ruins, part of it was torn down to accommodate construction of the avenue; the remaining half was restored in 1966 and is now cramped and crowded with shops.
-
Rumeli Hisarı
Just before the Fatih bridge are the majestic structures of Rumeli Hisarı and Anadolu Hisarı (Fortress of Anatolia). Mehmet the Conqueror had Rumeli Hisarı built in a mere four months during 1452, in preparation for his siege of Byzantine Constantinople. For its location, he chose the narrowest point of the Bosphorus, opposite Anadolu Hisarı, which Sultan Beyazıt I had built in 1391. By doing so Mehmet was able to control all traffic on the strait, so cutting the city off from re-supply by sea.
-
Tekfur Sarayi
The Byzantine palaces that once crowded Sultanahmet Square are all gone, so is the great Palace of Blachernae, which was also in this neighbourhood. Only the Tekfur Sarayı remains. Though the building is only a shell these days, it is remarkably preserved considering its great age.
-
Topkapi Harem
These were the imperial family quarters, and every detail of Harem life was governed by tradition, obligation and ceremony. The word harem literally means 'private'.
Every traditional Muslim household had two distinct parts: the selamlık (greeting room) where the master greeted friends, business associates and tradespeople; and the harem (private apartments), reserved for himself and his family.
-
Topkapi Palace
Home to Selim the Sot, who drowned in the bath after drinking too much champagne; İbrahim the Mad, who lost his reason after being locked up for four years in the infamous palace kafes (cages); and Roxelana, beautiful and malevolent consort of Süleyman the Magnificent, Topkapı would have to be the subject of more colourful stories than most of the world's museums put together. No wonder it's been the subject of an award-winning feature film, an opera (Mozart's The Abduction from the Seraglio ) and a blockbuster social history (John Freely's wonderful Inside the Seraglio ). Make sure you dedicate at least half a day to exploring, because tourist attractions rarely come any better than this.
-
Yildiz Parki
Sultan Abdül Hamit II (r 1876-1909) didn't allow himself to be upstaged by his predecessors. He built his own fancy palace by adding considerably to the structures built by earlier sultans in Yıldız Parkı, continuing the Ottoman tradition of palace pavilions that had been employed so wonderfully at Topkapı. It was to be the last sultan's palace built in İstanbul.
Showing 1-17 of 17 results
